Chris Young

Former Sunderland striker Darren Bent has sealed a Bosman move to Derby County on the same day he was released by Aston Villa.

Villa spent a club record £24million to sign Bent from Sunderland in January 2011, but it became a miserable move for the ex-England striker who has been farmed out on loan to Fulham, Brighton and Derby over the last two seasons.

Bent’s contract expired this summer and Villa today confirmed that the 31-year-old has been released.

Derby then announced that they had re-signed Bent on a two-year contract after he netted 12 goals in 17 appearances for the Rams during the second half of last season.

New Derby head coach Paul Clement said: “Darren Bent is a proven goalscorer and that was something he proved during his loan spell with the club last season.